The Earth is bombarded by proton,
electron and alpha particles from the Sun. These solar winds are
powerful enough to separate the atmosphere from the Earth. However,
it will take about five times longer than the total life of the
Sun at the Earth's present rate of matter loss (at most 3 kg per
second.) for the atmosphere to be used up.31
That is because, thanks to the powerful magnetic field formed by
the magnetosphere in the atmosphere, the Earth is to some extent
protected from this powerful erosion. The loss of ions-oxygen, helium
and hydrogen-dispersed over the Earth's ionosphere layer into the
depths of space is of much smaller dimensions than the vast layer
of air surrounding the Earth. Even so, the amount leaking into space
is nevertheless of a significant size.32

Thanks to NASA spacecraft, researchers have obtained
concrete evidence that energy explosions on the Sun cause oxygen
and other gases to disperse into space from the outer layer of the
Earth's atmosphere. Scientists first observed that the Earth experiences
a loss of matter from its outer layers on September 24-25, 1998.33

However, the above verses may also be referring to the loss of
land on Earth in another regard.

At the present time, the polar ice caps are melting
and the water level in the oceans is rising. The increasing quantity
of water is covering ever more land. As coastal areas come under
water, the land surface or total amount of land is decreasing.34
The expression "eroding it from its extremities" in the above verses
may well be pointing to coastal areas being covered by water.

A New York Times report on this subject reads:

Over the last century, the average surface temperature
of the globe has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit, and the rate
of warming has accelerated in the last quarter-century. That is
a significant amount Previous studies of satellite and submarine
observations have seemed to establish a warming trend in the northern
polar region and raise the possibility of a melting icecap. Scientists
at the Goddard Space Science Institute, a NASA research center
in Manhattan, compared data from submarines in the 1950's and
1960's with 1990's observations, demonstrating that the ice cover
over the entire Arctic basin has thinned by 45 percent. Satellite
images have revealed that the extent of ice coverage has significantly
shrunk in recent years.35

The findings made towards the end of the 20th century
help us to understand the wisdom of Surat ar-Ra'd 41, and Surat
al-Anbiya' 44.

2. 8 minutes : Ultraviolet and x-ray emissions travelling
at the speed of light can block out radio broadcasts.

3. 30 minutes: Charged particles at a high energy level
can threaten satellites and high-flying jets.

4. Between 48 minutes and 96 hours: The Earth’s magnetic
field is disrupted by mass solar particles. The effect of
this is to endanger electricity networks.

5. THE MAGNETOSPHERE is a region in space occupied by the
Earth’s magnetic field. It usually extends for 64,000
kilometres (40,000 miles) towards the Sun, although powerful
solar storms can compress the magnetosphere to a mere 42,000
kilometres (26,000 miles), leaving satellites outside exposed
to solar winds.

This loss at the extremities, as revealed by Allah, may be understood
in light of another scientific fact revealed in the Qur'an. The
fact that the Earth, which revolves around its own axis, has a geoid
shape, is a fact that has gained acceptance in recent centuries.

Research has revealed that the Earth keeps bulging at the
equator.

Research has revealed that the equatorial diameter of the Earth
expands under the effect of the force stemming from this rotation,
and that it is compressed at its extremities, in other words the
poles. Furthermore, since the Earth is in constant rotation this
change continues to occur. Indeed, the term "nanqusu" in Surat ar-Ra'd
41, translated as "eroding," shows that this process of erosion
is an ongoing one.

It is the force of gravity that has given such
celestial bodies as the Earth their spherical form. However, that
shape is not exactly spherical; it flattens out somewhat at the
poles and thickens at the equator. According to NASA figures, the
radius of the Earth is 6,378.1 km (3,963.2 miles) at the equator
but only 6,356.8 km (3,949.9 miles) from pole to pole.36
This is a difference of some 0.3%.

This model of the shape of the Earth was suggested by Sir Isaac
Newton in 1687. This fact, revealed in the Qur'an 1,400 years ago,
is another of its scientific miracles.

Caption: Research has revealed that the Earth keeps bulging at
the equator.

Allah created the heavens and
the earth with truth. There is certainly a Sign in that for
the believers.
(Qur’an, 29:44)